AUSTRALIA is in the grip of an extreme heatwave with maximums soaring past 40 degrees today - leading to bush fires which destroyed homes in Tasmania.

TASMANIAN police are investigating reports of a death in a huge bushfire in the state's south that has destroyed homes, and damaged a school and an RSL club.

Police say up to 65 buildings could have been damaged or destroyed in the small community of Dunalley, 55 kilometres southeast of Hobart.

Damaged buildings include the local school, the RSL club, a service station and houses, ABC television reported.

Around 15 houses at nearby Boomer Bay could also have been lost as the impact of catastrophic fire conditions in southern Tasmania begins to emerge.

Tasmania deputy police commissioner Scott Tilyard said a team was on the ground to investigate a fire crew's concerns that a man may have been trapped while trying to defend his house. "We can't at this early stage rule out that there has been loss of life," Mr Tilyard told reporters in Hobart.

Police and fire fighters have warned residents they should evacuate ahead of the blaze.

The highway has been closed, cutting off access in and out of the Tasman Peninsula and its main attraction, Port Arthur.

The Highway was closed at noon, because of the anticipated effects of the bushfire burning in the area.

All tourists intending to travel to this area are asked to stay away.

Picture of a fire taken near Copping. Picture: David KillickSource: The Mercury

Police said the closure would be reassessed as conditions ease.

Tasmania's other major fire, near the Mt Field National Park northwest of Hobart, also remains out of control with people living in communities including Broad River, Jones River and Ellendale being told to relocate.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a fire weather warning and road weather alert for the affected areas.

Firefighters at the fire near the Glen Esk Rd, Conara, in Tasmania. Picture: Chris KiddSource: The Mercury

Across the country, a "superheated" air mass flowing from the deserts of central Australia will push temperatures well above 40C across huge areas of Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and the Northern Territory into next week.

The Bureau of Meteorology's Assistant Weather Service Director Alasdair Hainsworth said we can expect to see a change late on Friday with temporary relief on Saturday, before the heatwave continues next week.

"Extreme heat events, such as this one, have wide ranging impacts across agricultural and horticultural sectors, infrastructure and transport, and not least human health and safety. Locations including Alice Springs, Adelaide, Renmark, Melbourne, Mildura, Echuca, Albury, Broken Hill and Wagga Wagga all have temperatures of 40 degrees or higher forecast for today.

"Another concern is the amount of vegetation following two wet years, which has led to high fuel loads, that continue to dry out and raise concerns about increased bushfire risk. Fast moving grassfires are of particular concern.

Firefighters are on high alert with parts of Australia tipped to have seven days above 40C.

"Increasing fire danger is anticipated in southeast Australia with hot and gusty northerly winds, followed by a southwesterly change late on Friday.

"There will be some temporary relief from the heat on Saturday with this weak change, moving eastwards over the weekend.

"The next change is then expected to move through southern inland and coastal regions around Tuesday or Wednesday next week, but in other areas temperatures are expected to remain high, with a continuation of heatwave conditions well into next week.”

This forecast map shows temperatures set to get close to 50degrees in some parts of the interior on Friday, january 4. Image: Australian Bureau of MeteorolgySource: No Source

The Country Fire Service (CFS) said the blaze was heading towards Gilberts Siding and Finnis. Firefighters are concerned about the fire at Finnis, with potential wind changes.

The wind change, predicted to hit about 4pm, will accelerate the blaze towards the town of Finniss and properties including Andrina Park, Merdia, Gutteridge, Reedlands and Tucker Ford, the Country Fire Service advises.

It has been described as "a large running grassfire". A number of properties are affected by and will come under threat if the fire cannot be contained.

Local residents were advised to initiate their bushfire survival plans and other people were asked to keep clear of the area.

Three farming properties are under threat as a bushfire burns out of control in grassland and scrub.

The Country Fire Service said the fire near Currency Creek was moving towards Gilberts Siding and Finniss and was being fought by ground crews, fixed wing aircraft and a water-bombing helicopter.

CFS crews were kept busy monitoring a fireground in the Clare Valley, where a fire was burning within control lines. At Truro, north of Adelaide, a car crash sparked a small fire.

CFS spokesman Mal Watts said while a cooler change was expected to bring some relief to coastal areas of the state on Saturday, fire fighters would remain on high alert.

"We are throwing everything that we are able to at incidents as they occur," he said.

"We've got to get through today, then we get a bit of a lull and then we're back into it again next week.

Country Fire Service state co-ordinator Malim Watts said the forecast top of 44C, coupled with strong northerly winds ahead of a cool southerly change in the evening, presented a serious risk to the community and firefighters.

"When it's hot and sunny more people go to the beach and as a result there's more activity," Mr Storey said.

He expected lifesavers to make a similar number of rescues to New Year's Day, when around 300 people were pulled from the surf.

Mr Storey says extra lifeguards will be on duty over the weekend but beachgoers are urged to swim between the flags at patrolled beaches.

Police say anyone heading to the water needs to take proper precautions.

"Whether you're going to the beach, a river, lake or swimming pool, you need to assess the environment and take simple precautions to prevent tragedy," Detective Acting Superintendent Darren Schott said in a statement.

"We have had a number of drownings and near-drownings recently, and unfortunately, many could have been prevented by heeding safety messages of police, lifesavers and maritime authorities."

Police also warned that leaving children, elderly people or pets unattended in cars could prove deadly in hot weather.

RSPCA NSW Chief Inspector, David O'Shannessy, says it only takes six minutes for an animal left in a car to die from heat stroke.

NSW Rural Fire Service Deputy Commissioner Rob Rogers said there were 43 fires burning around the state and nine of those were not contained.

But he said none of these fires which include grass, scrub and bushfires was threatening property.

As Australia swelters in the grip of an extreme heatwave on Friday, Winton is predicted to be the hottest spot in Queensland.

Winton has an expected top of 43C, followed by 41C at Longreach and Mount Isa, and 39C at Normanton.

The coolest provincial city is Toowoomba, with a predicted top of 28C.

While the southeast is sitting on a relatively mild 30C, it's not expected to last for long.

Hayshed goes up at Copping, in Tasmania. Picture: David KillickSource: The Mercury

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, next Wednesday will be a scorcher, with predictions of 35C in Brisbane, a sweltering 39C in Ipswich, 32C on the Gold Coast and 34C on the Sunshine Coast.

Much of Queensland's interior, west of a line from Roma to Charter Towers, will be hit by the searing heat, with Birdsville tipped to peak above 46C.

Locals are being warned to stay indoors to escape the extreme heat.

The Queensland Fire and Rescue Service yesterday issued a severe fire danger warning for most of the state's north and far southwest as humidity of less than 10 per cent and 35km/h winds helped create tinder-dry conditions.

Fourteen bushfires were burning across the state and fire crews yesterday battled two blazes that threatened properties near Koah and Speewah, west of Cairns.

WA ON ALERT

Bushfires are still threatening parts of Western Australia as the heatwave - which saw Perth suffer several days of temperatures in the high 30s over New Year - starts to ease.

Perth's fiercest heatwave in nearly 80 years has led to 20 people being admitted to hospital, Western Australia's health department says.

From December 27 until January 3, 20 people were admitted to hospitals across the city suffering directly from the heatwave of seven consecutive days over 37C.

St John's Ambulance also reported a doubling in "environmental" call-outs from the previous week, which can involve heatstroke, dehydration and burns.

During the four-day stretch between December 24 and 27, the ambulance service in the state had 28 "environmental" calls - compared with 15 on the corresponding days in the previous week.

Alasdair Hainsworth, assistant director of weather services, says the very high temperatures already experienced in Western Australia are extending eastwards driven by an extremely hot air mass.

Several fire engines were required at a fire which began south of Melbourne.

National Seniors Australia has warned the community to keep checking elderly relatives, friends, and neighbours during hot weather.

Don't forget your pets.

The weather could prove fatal for some cats and dogs, vets are warning, as the animals are unable to maintain their normal body temperatures.

"If unattended, heat exhaustion can lead to heatstroke and sometimes prove to be fatal," said Dr Alan Bolton, senior veterinarian at Victoria's Frank Samways Clinic.

He's urging pet owners to monitor the weather and their pets, with animals suffering heat exhaustion likely to pant excessively, salivate and become increasingly agitated.

A vet should be consulted immediately if pets show any of these signs, or starts vomiting.

Dr Bolton says pet owners should not leave their dogs and cats unattended during hot weather for extended lengths of time.

"Try to stay at home or have someone at home with your pet to keep an eye on how they're going," he said.

"Have fresh, cold water and shade available at all times or bring them inside into an air-conditioned environment."

If pets do overheat, owners can cool them with lukewarm water and wrap them in wet towels.

Dr Bolton urged people not to use very cold water but to consider leaving a pillowcase filled with ice near a pet or on their bedding.

PROTECTING YOUR FAMILY AND HOME

The Food Safety Information Council has released information to help people who lose power, access to water and/or are affected by fires around the country.

Your fridge

With the hot weather, check your fridge is running at 5°C or below – you may have set the temperature in the middle of winter and not touched the temperature dial since then.

If you don’t already have one, pick up a fridge thermometer from your local kitchen shop next time you are out.

Power failures

If the power fails make a note of the time the power went out.

If the power supply is out for more than 4 hours, food in fridges can spoil. Keep the refrigerator door closed as much as possible. A closed refrigerator should keep food cold for 4 hours. If food that’s meant to be in the fridge is allowed to warm for 2 hours or more, avoid eating it. Move food from the fridge to the freezer.

If available, put bagged ice under food packages and trays stored in freezers and fridges if power failure lasts more than 1 hour.

Place an insulating blanket over cold or frozen food where possible.

Freezers will usually not defrost and allow food to spoil for at least 24 hours, provided the door has been kept shut.

Try to keep cold and frozen food cold. If food is still cold to touch, less than 5°C, it is safe to use.

Once cold or frozen food is no longer cold to touch, 5°C or above, it can be kept, cooked thoroughly and eaten for up to 4 hours and then it must be thrown away or, if it is raw meat, it should be cooked and eaten.

If power is restored when frozen food is still solid the food is safe to refreeze.

Throw out food that was being cooked when the power failed if cooking cannot be completed properly within 2 hours. If food is already properly cooked, eat it within 2 hours or throw it out.

After a fire

One of the dangers of a fire can be toxic fumes from burning materials. Chemicals used to fight the fire can also contain toxic materials. The heat from a fire can cause bacteria in food to multiply and grow:

throw out any food that has been near a fire, including food in cans and jars even if it appears OK.

Any raw food, or food in packaging such as cardboard, plastic wrap, screw-topped jars and bottles should also be thrown out.

Throw out food from a refrigerator as the refrigerator seal isn't airtight, fumes can get inside.

Wash cooking utensils exposed to fire-fighting chemicals in soapy hot water, then sanitise in one tablespoon of chlorine bleach per 2 litres of hot water and rinse.

Water

If your water supply fails, use only bottled, boiled or treated water - in that order of preference - for drinking, cooking or preparing food, washing utensils and surfaces, brushing teeth, hand washing, making ice, and bathing.

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Comments on this story

Andrew Morom of Tatura Posted at 5:21 PM January 04, 2013

The CFA has been spruking for quite some time for people to watch their site for warnings, after black Saturday when nobody knew what was going on this NEW system that the CFA has is supposed to be the best thing since sliced bread. Well I have been trying to get information most of the day and it is non-existant. The site has either crashed or will come up but not the warnings and info on where the fires are. Today is not as bad as black saturday so how are we going to get on in the next few days when things are supposedd to get even worse?
They need to get their act together A.S.A.P.

TUFFEN UP!!! Posted at 5:18 PM January 04, 2013

BIG WHAT!!! HOT SUMMERS IN AUSTRALIA NEVER BEEN HEARD OF? THATS WHAT AUSTRALIA IS KNOWN AS!!!

Lorraine of Ulladulla Posted at 4:47 PM January 04, 2013

Lucky I live at Ulladulla NSW south coast, where it is just 29 at the moment.

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